April 16, 2008

Sneaky, Green Feet: Earth-friendly kids' footwear

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve found environmentally friendly shoes
for myself, but have had trouble finding similar shoes for my kids. Are
they out there? -- Dawn Masterson, Augusta, GA

Kids’ shoes are a quickly expanding market and companies with a
green perspective are now jumping into the race with mini versions of
everything from flip-flops to slippers to heeled dress shoes. While
green kids’ shoes from makers like Simple, which offers organic cotton
EcoSneaks with car tire soles, might seem expensive at $40 or more,
they are durable enough to get passed around from sibling to sibling.
“It is an investment if you’re going to do quality,” says Craig Throne,
general manager of footwear at Patagonia.

"Image Courtesy
"Isabooties and Patagonia."

Patagonia has been making climbing gear and outdoors wear for over
30 years, and is committed to using sustainable materials—including
recycled polyester and only organic cotton in their clothes. Using hemp
and recycled rubber content, the company has created kids’ shoes that
are rugged and sturdy enough for hiking or climbing, or for simply
running around in the back yard.

Of course, packaging plays a big role and in Patagonia’s case that
means 100 percent recycled content boxes with soy-based inks and fun
graphics that encourage kids to reuse the boxes. “We’re getting kids to
participate and be more aware of the outdoor world,” says Throne.

Timberland has launched its own line of sustainable kids’ shoes,
too. “Kids today are learning about the environment at a younger and
younger age—in many cases, they’re even teaching their parents,” says
Lisa DeMarkis, head of Timberland’s kid’s division. “It’s important to
show kids that even small choices can have a positive impact.”

The company strives to use the most environmentally friendly
materials when possible—like recycled soda bottles (PET) in linings or
meshes, recycled laces and organic cotton canvas—while always making
sure that the shoes meet performance goals: “At the end of the day, the
shoe has to stand up to kids and their daily adventures,” DeMarkis
says. Curious customers can read the “nutritional labels,” which
include the amount of renewable energy used in production, right on
Timberland’s 100 percent post consumer recycled shoeboxes.

Parents looking to avoid leather in their kids’ shoes, whether for
ethical or environmental reasons, have to do a bit of hunting online.
While many vegetarian and non-leather clothing sites have yet to add
kids’ shoes, KidBean.com has, including the popular baby shoes called
Isabooties, which are made with soft, synthetic Ultrasuede.

For parents of budding dancers, a vegan alternative ballet slipper
can be had from the Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn, New York.
The dance instructor and studio owner approached a local shoemaker when
she couldn’t find an affordable outlet for vegan slippers, and now
provides them to the world at large.

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